Journey to Northrend - Howling Fjord or Borean Tundra?

Now that Blizzard has officially released the expansion, millions of players have already begun upon their journey to Northrend. However, for many there remains a question, one which must be addressed before traveling: Howling Fjord or Borean Tundra?

Check out our rundown of the two zones after the break.

Howling Fjord

Lush, rolling hills and a snow-capped mountain range fill the landscape of southeastern Northrend. The Howling Fjord is as its name implies, a highly elevated series of cliffs and ravines with a searing wind that sweeps through the mountainside. Open clearings and sparse forests make up a large portion of the terrain, but things turn deadly cold as one approaches the northern mountains.

Home of what was once the only accessible port on the continent, the fjord is filled with inhabitants such as bears, wolves, and even Vry'kul, a Nordic viking-like race of humanoids. The zone is widespread, but well-designed with several clusters beyond the main townships (Valgarde and New Agamand) which serve as "breadcrumb trails" to help players discover new areas.

The Howling Fjord contains several notable quests related to the design of the area. One such quest involves the first real encounter with the Lich King. The quest begins with Thoralius the Wise, who may be found next to a large, white incense burner at the main campfire in Valgarde. I highly recommend all players to, when completing the second quest in the spirit realm, walk up to the large steps before Utgarde Keep for a special surprise (tip: don't read the quest comments unless you want to spoil the surprise). Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a similar quest for the Horde (or Alliance in the Borean Tundra).

Borean Tundra

On the western front is the Borean Tundra, a large open area consisting of frozen vegetation and a misty coastline. As soon as one sets foot in the zone, it becomes apparent that resources in this area are scarce. Trees are few and far between, vegetation remains frozen on the ground, and the waters are haunted by Kvaldir, a strange, ghost-like race akin to the Vry'kul. Murloc, naga, and even wild orca inhabit the waters.

Home to the Tuskarr, a manbearpig—er, walrus-like race, the tundra offers many quests which are clustered in hubs somewhat larger than those of the Howling Fjord. The zone is large, and travel can be exhausting, but the rewards pay off as the quests progress in a linear fashion. There are also more quests to complete in The Nexus, one of the first two dungeons, than in Utgarde Keep (the Howling Fjord dungeon). Off the coast lies Coldarra, a mystical, snowy region and home to the blue dragonflight aspect Malygos. The Dragon Aspect has gone insane, ordering the destruction of all who would wield magic.

Quests are clustered around much like the Howling Fjord, consisting of turf wars between the Tuskarr and the Kvaldir, ghostly creatures or spirits which wander the continent. There are also naga and Nerubian creatures one may encounter in the zone, but overall the design and quest experience is similar to the Howling Fjord. Just as the Fjord had notable quests, the Tundra does as well. Consisting of unusual quest givers such as naga and murloc, there are also organizations such as D.E.H.T.A. -- Druids for the Ethical and Humane Treatment of Animals -- which ultimately lead to an achievement.

Fjord or Tundra?

The vast, beautiful landscapes available to players early on are but a glimpse into the future of the game. It is a brand new world, and it shows. So I leave you with a simple question: Which area did you pick? What made you decide upon this zone? How was the gameplay experience in your zone of choice?

Comments

Comment by LoKHor

on 2008/11/19 00:38:09

I chose Borean Tundra, and I am still there at a mere level 71. I have slowly been making my way through, just absorbing everything and having a look around the incredibly varied environments. Every quest hub is unique, from Coldarra to Fizzcrank Airstrip and its surrounding area.

The Nexus is an amazing instance. Gorgeous visuals and interesting fights. The quest rewards are nice, too, and some actually provided minor upgrades to my epics. :o

I look forward to uncovering the rest of the zone and finishing up all of my questing there, as I will have thoroughly explored everything and maximised my experience gain. After Borean Tundra, I intend to head to Howling Fjord and go through everything there, including Utgarde Keep. I don't want to rush, nor do I wish to miss anything.

Comment by Kraize

on 2008/11/19 00:39:07

I picked the Borean Tundra because it was more easily accessible from Shattrath than flying to Menethil. The Nexus, which is in the Tundra, is higher level than Utgarde Keep. Everyone in my guild already has gear that will last them far into Northrend, so I thought I'd skip the lower level instances.

Borean Tundra is right next to Dragonblight too, which is obviously the next zone which then leads to Grizzly Hills.

Comment by CAPSLOCK

on 2008/11/19 00:40:51

Borean... As Horde; upon leaving Warsong Hold I was greeted with tons... upon tons... upon tons of leather scraps from the relentless Nerubian assault. When I finally tired of leather farming (Nice 356-380 bump in Leatherworking without having to pay/farm the Burning Crusade goodies) I moved onto the rest of the zone. Completing Coldarra within the day for my Achievment.

Not to mention, I love my new Rhino.

edit, In addition it is from here you can easily move onto Dragonblight; the next place in which I would recommend leveling. As questing through Borean Tundra and Dragonblight both offer great Warsong Offensive reputation opportunities.

Comment by xbshx

on 2008/11/19 00:42:56

I started in Howling Fjord and then went to Dragonblight and completed the Tuskarr quests/got my Dalaran teleport at 71. I Then headed back to Howling Fjord to finish most of the quests until I completed the required number for the Fjord achievement. After that I went to Borean and I'm probably 10% through it just about to ding 73.

Comment by Miyari

on 2008/11/19 00:43:14

I went to Borean Tundra first, then head over to Howling Fjord afterwards. I'm currently 75 and barely halfway through Dragonblight, lol.

Comment by Sinespe

I went Borean Tundra (70-72) followed by Howling Fjord (72-74) and have just finished Dragonblight (74-76). Neither starting zone has disappointed me one iota. The best bits of both were, for me:

Borean Tundra: Saurfang cleaving 30 Scourge Elites. What more can be said?Howling Fjord (And Dragonblight to an extent): Every quest involving the Forsaken. The dialogue was wonderfully humourous throughout.

I'm basically moving through every zone in order of how they're introduced to me through Questing. (I.e.: From Borean Tundra, I got quests to take me to Dragonblight. I didn't go to DB because I wanted to do both starting areas. From Howling Fjord, I got quests linking me to both DB and Grizzly Hills. Thus, democracy ruled and I took Dragonblight next. I'm now on Grizzly, and wondering how much gold I'll be getting from all the quests I'll have waiting for me at 80 in all the unchartered zones.)

Comment by Trauma

on 2008/11/19 01:11:55

I went to the Fjord, after seeing both of the zones for the very starting area. After looking at both, I just was swayed by the feel of the Fjord. It has a very cool Norse feel, and the starting Alliance area sits in the shadow of Utgarde Keep. My previous favorite WoW zone was Terrokar, and I think the Howling Fjord is even more amazing.

Comment by Skosiris

on 2008/11/19 01:30:21

I randomly got pulled to Borean Tundra, as I happened to be in Orgrimmar when I decided to take a zeppelin to get to Northrend.

I'm planning on tackling both zones, so it doesn't actually matter. WotLK is too awesome to skip content.

Comment by bsvictor

on 2008/11/19 02:46:35

Started at Borean Tundra, then after 40 quests went to Howling Fjord to quest with a friend and i liked over there so much more. Environment is nicer imo and i liked the quest dynamic on both places, but I'd recommend HF if you're 70 already. If you're 68, do both, then Dragonblight.

Comment by WoogyDude

on 2008/11/19 03:09:18

Since I played Borean Tundra in beta, I decided to try out the Fjord this time. I have to say that I enjoy the Fjord much more. Not being attacked by spiders every time I left the main base was nice. Also the music is nicer, and the zone feels more pleasant.

Comment by Ualone

on 2008/11/19 03:12:24

I play an undead mage, so as undead I went to Northrend from Undercity, then my first region was Howling Fjord.As of today, I'm about level 79 (I miss a few XP) and I completed Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, Dragonblight, Sholazar Basin (which I did as soon as possible, because I love Nesingwary) and 85% of the quests in Grizzly Hills: I can say that my favourite region is Howling Fjord, followed by Sholazar Basin.

Comment by gald

on 2008/11/19 03:14:56

At first, I went to Borean Tundra but masses of other players have forced me to visit Howling Fjord. During first days of WoTLK Fjord was far less crowdy, and as much interesting as Tundra... in my personal opinion, more beautiful to.

Most probably, just after finishing HF I will travel back to Tundra in order not to miss anything from the content.

Comment by Stagen

on 2008/11/19 04:27:25

Unlike many others I actually chose Howling Fjord to begin with and I must say it was the right decision as there were fewer people all aound to disturb my questing. I personally believe that the quests there are far better than in the Tundra so I have no regrets. The only thing that irked me was that some of the rewards were more strength/stamina/haste than +crit stuff, which I needed as a ret paladin.

I'm level 78 now and I've already fully finished Howling Fjord, Grizzly Hills, Zul'Drak and Sholazar Basin in terms of quests and earned the achivements for them. I've also, after I turned 77 explored all the zones in Nortrend for kicks, damn some of the zones are frekkin beautiful.

Comment by Phagus

on 2008/11/19 04:43:23

I went to HF first and did all the quests there (getting the achievement in the process) and I am currently going through all the quests in BT aswell (132/150 so far)I am level 74 now and plan on going to either SB, GH or DB next.

Comment by Onisuke

on 2008/11/19 05:42:12

I went to Borean Tundra first, then head over to Howling Fjord afterwards. I'm currently 75 and barely halfway through Dragonblight, lol.

Same here.I got to Grizzly Hills with 2 bubbles left to lvl 76. Did ... 6q and leveled up.

I think it's better to do all the quests in the zone, or at least the ones needed to do the zone achievement.

Comment by yavn

on 2008/11/19 06:43:48

I'm undead, so I've chosen to start in Howling Fjord, earned the quest achievement (as an indicator that I've seen most things) and then rode through Dragonblight straight to Warsong Hold in Borean Tundra. I wanted to do both starting zones and I highly recommend that to anywone who wants to experience storyline to its fullest. Also Tundra have a better feeling of "war effort" and that you're a soldier of the Horde :) Warsong Hold is also an amazing place, especially when you see it for the first time. Frankly, most places in WLK have that "tilt" pottential. Everything's so vivid and detailed.

Comment by Ohnoto

on 2008/11/19 06:51:41

I did Howling Fjord first and liked that zone and quests better than Borean Tundra, which I am almost done with doing now.

Borean Tundra does have some unique quests though. Siege quests, a Phasing quest. Personally I just like the look and feel of Howling Fjord better and it doesn't seem like the mobs are as tightly packed.

Comment by paintballjohn101

on 2008/11/19 06:58:58

I wold go to the Howling Fjord.

Comment by ollan1

on 2008/11/19 07:21:17

I choose both, done with Howling fjord and almost done with Borean. gives more rep and i like to stick in a zone as long as i can before i need to change.